Follow the Money: Pompeo raised $1.8 million, McKinney out raises Ewy

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By Patrick Clement

Kiowa County Signal - Kiowa County, KS

By Patrick Clement

Posted Nov. 5, 2012 at 8:00 AM

By Patrick Clement

Posted Nov. 5, 2012 at 8:00 AM

Kiowa County, Ks.

With less than 24 hours left before election day, candidates for local, state and federal offices have filed general election financial disclosures. The forms detail contributions and expenditures during the current election cycle.

U.S. House of Representatives

Republican incumbent Mike Pompeo was well ahead of Democratic challenger Robert Tillman in the fundraising department, filling his war chest with more than $1.8 million in campaign contributions from Jan. 1 to Oct. 17 according to statements filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Pompeo received more than $1.1 million from individual donors and an additional $700,000 from political action committees (PAC). Pompeo also received $14,00 non-itemized contributions.

Federal campaigns are not required to itemize total individual donations of less than $200.

According to OpenSecrets.org, a non-partisan financial watchdog, Pompeo’s top donors were Koch Industries employees who donated a total of $80,000. He also received $10,000 from Koch Industries related PAC’s and $21,000 from employees of Mull Drilling, a Wichita-based oil and gas company.

Pompeo reported $688,000 in expenses during the same period, which included administrative expenses ($182,000), fundraising expenses ($118,000) and campaign expenses ($116,000). Pompeo also reported $37,000 in media expenses.

He also made 3 contributions totaling more than $82,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). According to their website, the NRCC’s goals are to “support the election of Republicans to the House through direct financial contributions to candidates and Republican Party organizations.”

On his Oct. 17 disclosure, Pompeo reported having more than $1.2 million remaining in his campaign fund.

Pompeo’s challenger Tillman received only $1,200 in contributions between March 1 and Sept. 30.

In his disclosure Tillman reported $3,700 in expenditures, and a balance of about $33,000 remaining in his campaign fund, although $29,600 was funded by a personal loan.

Kansas 117th House District

A tight race between Republican John Ewy and Democrat Dennis McKinney saw significant increases in general election contributions and expenses from both candidates.

Ewy raised about $11,800 between July 27 and Oct. 25. According to disclosures filed with the Secretary of State’s office, Ewy received about $8,600 in donations from business interests and PAC’s, about 72 percent of his total contributions. He received $2,800 from individuals, accounting for 23 percent of his totals. He also reported $50 in unitemized contributions. State candidates are not required to itemize Individual contributions under $50.

Ewy had about $2,900 remaining from his primary election against Mitchell Rucker.

McKinney raised more that twice as much as Ewy, reporting more than $28,000 in contributions during the same period.

McKinney received nearly $18,000 in donations from business interests and PAC’s, about 63 percent of his total contributions, as well as $9,950 from individuals accounting for 33 percent of his total funds received.

McKinney also reported $650 in individual contributions under $50.

Page 2 of 2 - Both candidates raised significant money from business interests and PAC’s while McKinney received a higher portion of his total contributions from individuals.

Ewy received a total of 40 contributions, 15 of them were from individuals, accounting for 33.5 percent of his total number of donations.

McKinney received 97 total contributions, of which 43 were from individuals accounting for 44.4 percent of his total number of donations.

Ewy spent $7,700 during the filing period on print ads, flyers, yard signs and campaign expenses and reported $6,900 remaining on Oct. 29.

McKinney spent $31,000 including significant media buys on radio and in newspapers and had $10,200 remaining at the end of the filing period.

McKinney paid more than $7,000 in postage and mailings, according to his disclosure, while Ewy spent less than $400 on mailing expenses, with a $90 postage purchase on Oct. 1 the most recent expenditure.

Voters in the northern most part of the district have reported receiving direct mail critical of McKinney from third parties and not from Ewy directly.

While candidates are required to disclose expenses and donors, third parties can spend money unfettered without limits.

They are however required to operate independently from candidates.

Kansas Senate

Mitch Holmes will run unopposed on next week’s ballot, winning the primary election against Ruth Teichman for the 33rd District Senate seat.

Holmes continued to raise money however, receiving $27,800 between July 27 and Oct. 25 from business interests, PAC’s and individuals. Holmes also reported spending $15,700 on meals for volunteers, radio and print advertising and signs.

He had $22,500 remaining in campaign funds at the end of the filing period.